Type-writing machine.



B. P. FORTIN.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

L\IPLI0A'I.I0II FILED MAY 18, 1912 Patented Jan.. 20, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l. Fri' l v y l ATTOR VlZlN ESSES:

B. P. FORTIN.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18,1912,

Patented J an.. 20, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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WITNESS Es:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. BENJAMIN 1. FORTIN, 0F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T0 UNDERITOOD TYEfEWRIITER COMIANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2o, 1914.

Application filed May 18, 1912. Serial No, 698,093.

T-all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN P. Fon- TIN, a citizen of the United States, residin in Hartford, in the county of Hartford an State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type- I'Vriting Machines, of vwhich the following is a specification. i

'This invention relates to typewriting machines, more particularly to the tabulating and column skipping devices arranged in machines of this character.

In machines such as the Underwood Writing machine, tabulating devices have been provided which comprise a set of denomination keys each operating a movable stop adapted to coperate with adjustable stops of graduated lengths mounted upon a rack lixed to the carriage. Another set of column skipping keys are provided which either operate another set of graduated stops or else operate cams which cause certain of the column stops on the carriage to be thrown out of operative position,so as to allow the carriage to skip to the desired column.

The present invention has for itsprincipal object to decrease the number of keys upon the keyboard of machines of the character above described. This is accomplished by providing mechanism whereby certain of the denomination keys are converted into column skipping keys. The mechanism provided for this purpose is essentially as fol-4 lows: Adjacent'to one side of the row of denomination keys are provided two ad ditional keys. Que oiV these keys, lettered Column is a master or controlling key which determines whether the denomination keys shall all act in their normal manner of stopping at each column or Whether certain of these keys shall act as column skip ping keys. In theillustrated embodiment 'of this invention the four middle denomination keys may be converted into column skipping keys. When the key lettered Column is in raised position the denomination keys all actin their normal manner, and when this column key is depressed,

' the four middle denomination keys are converted into column skippingkeys'to cause first, second, third" the carriage to skip to the or fourth column, etc'. The ,-zey lettered Column release operates tri. release the column key so as to allow it to rise, when Aparts when the column kev is in low'y it is desired to cause the denomination keys to revert to their normal function. `This column release key releases the column key from its depressed position and allows it to rise by disengaging a spring catch from the column key, which spring catch snaps on to the latter to hold it in position when depressed. When the column key is so depressed, it. shifts out of position the rods which are connectedto the denomination keys and which normally actuate the movable denomination stops coperatingwith the column stopson the carriage. These rods are then in position to engage a slide 'having a series of stepped shoulders. The

rods connected to the four denomination keys, which are to be converted into column skipping keys, engage these shoulders, and raise the slide to different heights corresponding to the heights of the respective shoulders. Mounted upon this slide is a column selecting stop, which is in position, when raised to enga-ge the column stops on -the carriage. As these column stops on the carriage are of diiierent lengths, the carriage will be arrested at the desired column when this stop of the length corresponding to Vthat. column hits the column selecting stop on theslide which has been raised to the required height.

Cther features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l.

is a fragmental elevation partly in section of .an Underwood writing machine with my improvements applied thereto. Fig. is a diagrammatic plan illustrating the arr-aufgement of keys, together with their connection to the movable stops. Fig. 3 is a. view L-limif lar to Fig. l. illustrating the posltioiot the .d

mil

position and one of' the column t :ngi keys is depressed. Fig. t is a peip-ective view illustrating the umvab'le stops and the shifting slide in the giosition oi' parts shown in Fig. l. 5 a detail perspective 'View illustrating the slide and column lecting stops raised to their extreme upward position. Fig. 6 is a detail perspeiive view illustrating the catch device 'for the colf umn f key, which catch is disengaged therefronf. bythe column releee key.y

The denomination keys i are mounted at the back portion of the keyboard and are lll() connected through levers 3, fulcrumed intermediate their ends on a fulcrum rod 4, to a series of vertical rods or bars 5. These bars when raised are normally adapted t abut, against shoulders 8 of denomination stops7, and to raise the latter against the tension of springs 7a so as to bring them in the path of travel of column stops 9 mounted on a rack 10 fixed to the carriage 11, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. If when the. parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, a denomination key is depressed, one of the denomination stops 7 will be raised and thecarriage brought to a stop at the next co1- umn and at a point corresponding to the proper denomination.

ln accordance with the resent invention, mechanism is provided wliereby certain of the denomination keys are converted into column-skipping keys. For this purpose a key 12 is provided adjacent to the denomination keys, and adapted when depressed to shift the rods 5 out of alinement with the denomination stops 7 and to bring these rods into position to operate a column selecting stop. This key 12 is mounted on a vertical rod 13 connected to a lever 14 fulcrumed intermediate its ends 0n fulcrum rod4 and the rear end of this leve-r` engages an arm 15 projecting from a movable frame 16 fulcrumed at one end to a stationary part of the machine. This frame .2 consists of two side bars 17 connected at their lower ends by a rod 18. Another rod 19 is connected to these side bars at points intermediate their ends and extends through slots 2Oa formed in the rods 5. lVhen key 12 is depressed, frame 16 is rocked into the position shown in Fig. 3, swinging rods 5 out ot alinement with the denomination stops and, into operative relation with respect to the column selecting stop. The latter is inminted upon a slide 20 having at its lower end a series of stepped shoulders 21, 22, 23,-

;:daptcd to be engaged by projections 24 extending from certain of the rods 5 designated as 5, 5", 5". and 5d. When the proper l-fe;7 is now depressed, the longest shoulder 21, is engaged b v the projection on rod 5, the slide is raised to its uppermost position, carrying with it the column selecting stop, and through the latter arresting the carriage at the first column. Similarly when certain other keys are depressed, shoulders 22 or 23, or the plane bottom end of slide 20 are engaged and the column selecting stop raised so as to stop the carriage at the second, third or fourth column. ln the drawings the four middle denomination keys are shown connected to rods 5, 5, etc., having the projections 24. Opposite these keys upon the keyboard appear the numerals 1, 2, 3vand 4, indicating the columns which the respective keys will select. It will be clear, however, that any other of the denomination keys may be so arranged and that any other of the rods 5 may be formed with projections to engage the slide 20.

The frame 16 is held normally in position so as to keep the rods 5- in operative 'relation with the denomination stops. This nis accomph'shed by a pair of spring pressed plungers 25 mounted in the frame and acting against the side bars 17 adjacent to the rod 1 9. This normally keeps the arm 15 depressed and the key 12 raised. lVhen it is desired to use the denomination keys only as column-skipping keys, it is desirable that the key 12 should stay down when depressed by the operator. For this purpose a catch 26 is provided.v This is mounted on a rock shaft 27 to which is also fixed an arm 28 yieldably held inward by a spring 29 connected to the frame of the machine. This catch 26 has a cam face 26 and a retaining face 26" adapted to be engaged by a pin 30 mounted on rod 13 0f the column key 12. When the latter is depressed, pin 30 engag- 4ing cam' face 268L forces the catch to one side and is then'engaged by the retaining face 26" and the key isthus held in depressed po sition. To allow the column key ito rise after being thus held in depressed position, a key 31 lettered Column release is provided adjacent the column key. The key 31 is mounted on an" arm 31a provided with a pin 32 working against a cam' face 33 eX- tending from the arm 28 attached to the catch for the column key. When the column release key is depressed the pin' 32 operating against the, cam face 33, swings catch 26 out of engagement with the pin 30 on the rod 13, and the column key 12 is accordingl free to rise, which it will do owing to t e downward pressure exerted on lever 14 by arm 15 of the spring pressed frame 16. To facilitate this raising of key 12 through the spring pressed rock frame as well as the retracting of the frame by the key, arm 15 is formed with a cam face 34 whichengages a projection 35 formed on the end of lever 14.

The slide 20 is heldin its lowered position by a spring 36; connected thereto and attached to any suitable point on the frame. The column selecting counter stop mounted on this slide may be of any desired construcd tion. Preferably thisstop consists of a projection 37 carried by a rock larm 38 mounted on a vertical pivot in a bracket 39 fixed to the slide. On the other side of its pivot, arm 38 has attached or integral therewith an arm 39a adapted to engage a projection 40 extending from a pivoted stop 41 mounted on a rock shaft 42, journaled in bearings 43 fixed to the framework of the machine. A spring 44 (Fig. 2) normally' tends to keep the stop 41 in raised position and out of the path of movement of the column stops on the carriage. When the' slide 2O raised and the stop 37 is hit by a column stop on the carriage, rock arm 38 is swung, and through arm 39a and the projection 40, the pivoted stop 41 is moved against the tension of spring 44 until this stop is brought into the path of the column stop which latter is finally stopped thereby. The springr 44 serves as a buffer to cushion the blow given by the column stop and slow down the carriage which is finally stopped by the comparatively rigidly constructed counter,` stop 41.

The usual universal bar 45 is pivoted adjacent to the rods 5, each of which rods when raised. operates this bar through a projection 4G formed thereon. Thisnniversal bar connected by a.link 47 to an arm 4S tixed to a pin 48 journaled in the framework. This pin projects trom an arm 48b carrying at its end a roller 49 adapted to engage the bottom of the feed rack to disengage it from the escapement mechanism. A. pinion 50 is also provided on this arm 48 adjacent its end and engages the rack when arm 48 is raised, operating the usual brake (not shown).

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Ilaving thus described my invention, claim:

1. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting mach'lnes, a series ot' denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, push rods adapted to operate said stops, a column selecting stop, and means for throwing certain of said push rods out of operative relation with the denomination stops and into operative relation with the column selecting stop.

2. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting machines, a series of denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, push rods adapted to operate said stops, a column selecting stop, and means for throwing certain of said push -rods out of operative relation with the denomination stops and into operative relation with the column selecting stop, said means comprising a movable arm engaging said push rods, and means for actuating said arm.

3. In a tabulating mechanism, for typewriting machines, a series of denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, push rods adapted to operate .said stops, a column selecting stop, means for throwing certain of said Ypush rods out of operative relation 1ith the denomination stops and into operativc relation with the column selecting stop, said means comprising a swinging frame, a rod mounted in said frame and passing through slots formed in said push rods intermediate their ends, and means for swingine said frame,

E. In a tabulating mechanism for typel l l l writing machines, a series of denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, push rods adapted to operate said stops, a column selecting stop, and means for throwing certain of said push rods out of operative relation with the denomination stops and into operative relation with the column selecting stop, said means comprising a movable arm engaging said push rods, means tor actuating said arm, and yieldable means for returning the same.

5. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting machines, a series of denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, push rods adapted to operate said stops, a column selecting stop, and means for throwing certain of said puh rods outof operative relation with the denomination stops and into operative relation with the column selecting stop, said means comprising a. swinging frame, a rod mounted in said frame and passin through slots formed in said push rods intermediate their ends, means for swinging said frame, and a spring for returning the frame.

6. In a tabulating mechanism for type- Writing machines, a series of denomination keys, a carriage, means operated by said keys for bringing the carriage to a stop at each column in position for the proper denominaiion, means including a k'ey mounted on'the keyboard and adapted when depressed to convert certain of the denomination keys into column skipping keys, means for holding the last. named key in depressed position until manually released, and a rcleasing device for said last-named key.

7. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting machines, a series of denomination keys, a carriage, means operated by said keys for bringing the carriage to a stop at each column in position for the proper denomination, means including a key mounted on the keyboard and adapted when depressed to convert certain of the denomination keys into column skipping keys, means including a spring control-led catch for holding said key in depressed position, and a releasing key operative to releasel said catch.

S. In a tabulatingmechanism for type writing machines, a series ot denomination keys, a carriage, means operated by said keys'` for bringing the carriage to a stop at each column in position for the proper denomination, means including a key mounted on the keyboard and adapted when depressed to convert certain of the denomination keys into column skipping keys, means for holding the last named key in depressed position, and a key mounted adjacent said last mentioned key for releasing the latter so as to allow it to rise from its demessed position.

9. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting machines, a series ot denomination keys, a carriage, means operated by said keys for bringing the carriage to a stop at each' column in position for the proper denomination, means including a key mounted on the keyboard and adapted when depressed to convert certain of the denomination keys into column skipping keys, means includingv a spring controlled catch to hold said key depressed, and a key mounted adjacent said last mentioned'key for releasing the latter so as to allow it to rise from its depressed position.

10. In a tabulating mechanism for typewrit-ing machines, a series ot denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, push rods operatively7 connected to said keys and arranged in alinement with said stops, and means for throwing certain of said rods out of alinement with said stops.

11. In a tabulating mechanism for type- Writing machines, a series of denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, push rods operatively connected to said keys and arranged in alinement with said stops, said rods having projections extending therefrom, a column selecting stop, and means for throwing said rods out of alinement with said denomination stops and into position for the projections to cooperate with the column selecting stop.

12. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting machines, a series of denomination keys, a series of denomination stops` push ro'ds operatively connected to said keys and arranged in alinemcnt with said stops. said rods having projections extending there-` from, a column select-ing stop having a series of shoulders of graduated heights, and means for throwing said rods out of alinement with said denomination stops and into position for the projections if) cooperate with the shoulders of the. column selecting stop.

13. In a tabulating mechanism tor typewriting machines, a series of denomination keys, a carriage, column stops mounted thereon, a series of denomination stops, push rods operatively connected to said keys and arranged in alinement with said denomination stops, a column selecting stop comprising a movable slide, a. projection pivotally mounted on said slide, an arm fixed to said projection, an auxiliary stop operated bysaid arm when the projection is struck by one of said column stops, and means for throwing certainiot said push rods out of alinement with the denomination stops and into position to operate said slide.

14. In a tabulating mechanisir. for typewriting machines, a series of denomination keys, a carriage, column stops mounted thereon, a series of denomination stops, push rods operatively oonnettted to said keys and arrangedgin alnement with said denomination stops, a ,column selecting stop comprising a movable slide having a series of shoulders of graduated heights, a projection piotally mounted on said slide, an arm tixed to said projection, an auxiliary stop operated by said arm when the projection is struck hy one ot' said column stops, and means tor throwing certain of said push rods out of alinement with the denomination Astops and into operative relation with respect to the shoulders on said slide.

15. In 'a tahulating mechanism for typewriting machines, a series of denomination keys. a carriage, column stops mounted thereon, a. series of denomination stops, push rods operatively connected to said keys and arranged in alinement with said denomination stops, a column selecting stop comprising a movable slide, a projection piviiitally mounted on said slide., an arul iixed to said projection, an auxiliary `spring retr; :ted stop operated hv said arni when the projection is struck by one ot said column stops, and means for throwing certain ot said push rods out ot' alineinent with the denomination stops and into position to operate said slide.

1G. ln a tahulating mechanism tor typewriting machines. a vertically movable slide having a sciies ot' stepped shoulders thereon. a column selecting stop on said slide. a

'series of :ush rods ada )ted to enfrade said shoulders. key-` opcraively connected to sniii push rods. thmzmination stops. and nit-ans to move said push rods alternatively into operative relation to thedcnomination stops and said slide.

1T. ln a tahulating mechanism for typewriing machine-s, the combination of a vertieallyy movahle slide having a series ot stepped shhulders thereon, a column selecting stop on said slide, push rods adapted to engage said shoulders. keys operatively connected to said push rods. denomination stops, said pui-h reds normally in ojpieratii/e relation to the denominati-'m stops, an aux-y iliary key. and means operated by said auxVA iliar)v key to more certain ot' the push rods ont of operative relation to the denomination stops and into position to cooperate with said slide.

1S. In a tahulating n'iechanism ior typewriting machines. the combination of aseries of denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, push rods adapted to operate said stops, a column selecting stop, and means for throwing certain of said push rods out of operative relation to the denomination stops and into operative relation to the column selecting stop.

l2). In a tahulating mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination of a series of denomination stops, denomination keys, power-transmitting elements be- ,tween said keys and stops. a column selecting stop` and means to move certain of sald elements out of operative relation to the denomination stops and into operative relation with the column selecting stop.

20. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination of a series ot denomination keys, a series of denomination stops, a. column selecting stop, push rods operatively connected to said keys and arranged in alinement with said denomination stops, and mtans for throwing certain of said rods out of alinement with the denomination stops and into operative relation to the column selecting stop.

2r. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination ot a series ot' denomination stops, a `stationary frame in which said stops are slidably mounted, denomination keys, push rods forming an operating connection between the keys and denomination stops, a column selecting stop, and means to move certain of said push rods out of operaiive relation to the denomination stops, and into operative relation to the column selecting stop.

2Q. In a tabulating mechanism Ior typewriting machines, the combination of a series ot denominational stops, a stationary frame in which said stops are slidably mounted, denomination keys, push rods forming an operating connection between the keys and denomination stops, a column selecting stop, an auxiliary key, and means operated thereby to move certain of said push rods out of the path of the denomination stops and into position to operate the column selecting stop.

23. In a tabulating mechanism for typewritingr machines,the combination of a series ot' verticallyy movable plunger stops, key levers, push rods supported thereon in alinement with the plunger stops and operable when the keys are depressed to project said stops, a vertically movable member, a stop carried thereby, and means for swinging certain ot' said push rods into position to operate said member and project said lastnamed stop when any one of said keys is depressed.

24. In a tabulating mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination of a series of vertically movable stops, key levers, push rods supported on said levers in alinement with the stops, a vertically slidable frame, a stop carried thereby, an auxiliary key lever, and means operated thereby to swing certain of said push rods out of alinement with the stops and into position to operate said slide when one of said rst-named keys is depressed.

25. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage, column stops thereon, a series of denomination stops vertically movable into the path of the column stops, denomination keys, operating connections between said keys and denomination stops comprising vertical push rods in alinement with the denomination stops, a vertically slidable frame, a column-selecting stop carried thereby, said push rods having shoulders formed thereon, and means Vtor swinging said push rods out of alineinent with said denomination stops into a position with said shoulders beneath said slidable frame.

26. In a typewriting machine, the com bination of a traveling carriagefcolumn stops thereon, a series of vertically movable counter stops, key levers, push rods supported on said levers in alinement with the counter stops, means to swing the push rods out of alinement with the counter stops, and means operable by certain of the push rods while out ot alinement with the counter stops to came the carriage to be brought to rest in posit-tants corresponding to the operated push rod.

27. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage and column stops thereon, of counter stops, column selecting mechanism comprising push reds in operative relation to the counter stops, and means to swing the `push rods to an inoperative position relative to the counter stops. said column selecting mechanism operative to stop the carriage at any desired column position while said push rods are in said inoperative position.

28. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage and column stops thereon, of counter stops, push rods in operative relation to the counter stops, means to swing the push rods to an inoperative position relative to the counter stops, key levers to operate the push rods, and means including certain of said push rods and selectively operated by certain of the key levers to stop the carriage in column positions corresponding to the operated key lever. i

BENJAMIN P. FORTIN.

Witnesses W. M. P. YORKMAN, FRANK A. CooK.

contes of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, 'by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti, Washington, D. C. 

